Michigan in Pictures

2025 Michigan in Pictures Year in Review

Posted on December 29, 2025December 29, 2025 by farlane

It’s time for the annual roundup of the most popular photos of the year on Michigan in Pictures. Instead of the usual top 5, I’m doing a top six because baby cougars. Thanks everyone for being a fan!

Also, I am going to go ahead and declare 2025 the Year of the Bridge because 4 out of the top 5 were bridge photos. I will also be wondering what that says about me … and all of you!! ;)

Holiday Train Rolling through Detroit by Craig Hensley Photography

The most popular post of 2025 with well over half a million views was this post of Craig’s photo with information about how to see the beloved the CPKC Holiday Train as it passed through Southeast Michigan. The train has collected over 5 million pounds of food and raised more than $26 million dollars for community food banks in Canada and the US, and – thanks in large part to Detroit photographer Montez Miller – our post and the one on Facebook with updates became important resources for folks to see to the train!

Craig Hensley has been shooting the Holiday Train for years & put together a sweet Google Map of the Holiday Train’s route through Michigan that includes suggested viewing locations. Head over to his website to view & purchase his work.

Canadian & US Flags on Gordie Howe International Bridge

The second most popular photo of the year was from the Gordie Howe International Bridge who reported that the Canadian & US flags have found their permanent home at center of the bridge deck, adding “Soon you’ll be able to see the flags for yourself from the multi-use path as you walk or bike across the bridge.” Just missing the Top 5 was another pic of the bridge in a post about the fact you’ll be able to bike to Canada across the bridge!

Freighter Passing nder Gordie Howe Bridge by Ryan Jame Jakubowski

Freighter passing under Gordie Howe Bridge by Ryan Jake Jakubowski

We don’t have to go far at all for the third most popular photo which is Ryan’s excellent drone shot of a freighter making its way up the Detroit River under the Gordie Howe along with the news that the planned 2025 opening of the Bridge might be delayed, which it was! Ryan shared that this is one of his favorite shots of the new bridge. Click the pic to follow him on Facebook & head over to J&C Photography to view & purchase his work and to hire him for photographic services including drone photography & 360 degree panoramas.

Canadian Wildfire Smoke by Mackinac Bridge Authority

On June 4th the Mackinac Bridge Cam shared this photo writing, “Unfortunately, what you’re seeing today is not fog surrounding the Mackinac Bridge but smoke coming from the wildfires and our neighbors to the North.” Head over to the Mackinac Bridge Cam if you’d like to take a look at how things are today. (spoiler alert: so windy & snowy that you can barely see anything!!)

Big Penny Scoreboard by Stupid Lansing

In May we met Big Penny, Lansing’s twelve foot titan of truck termination that was completed in 1928 with the apparent purpose of destroying as many trucks as possible. There’s lots more Big Penny news this year including the 100th truck munched! Follow Stupid Lansing for updates!

Baby Cougar via DNR Michigan Cougar Page

Rounding out the top photos of 2025 was a report from the DNR that 2025 was a banner year for Michigan cougars! In addition to being the 3rd straight year of record numbers of cougar sightings, the fact that a pair of cougar cubs was spotted at the same time March 6 in Ontonagon County confirms we have breeding populations here in Michigan.

Merry Christmas from Michigan in Pictures!

Posted on December 24, 2025December 24, 2025 by farlane

Fishtown Christmas by Michigan Nut Photography

I’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas & happy holiday season that brings you and those you love as much magic & love as possible. The two photos below are from Fishtown Preservation, and I encourage you to support them in their work preserving this iconic Michigan location if you can!

I’ve been waiting to post this photo since the moment John shared it exactly one year ago today! Head on over to the Michigan Nut Facebook to give him a like, check out his calendars as possible gifts, and for sure check out the Northern Lights & Night Skies gallery on his website to view & purchase this and other fantastic photos!

Michigan Cougar Kittens are doing well!

Posted on December 23, 2025 by farlane

Cougar Cub Trailcam via Michigan DNR

Remember the cougar cubs we met last month? The Michigan Department of Natural Resources shares this December 2025 trail cam photo of the cougar kits & mother saying:

Nine months after two cougar kittens were documented in the Upper Peninsula, a new trail camera photo indicates the elusive animals are still alive and living with their mother.

…“This is a historic confirmation for Michigan since it is the first time in over 100 years that verified cougar reproduction has occurred east of the Mississippi River and possible even east of the Missouri River,” Roell said.

A private landowner sent the trail camera photo of the cougars to the DNR on Sunday, Dec. 14. Roell verified the site of the photo Monday and the DNR’s cougar team confirmed the photo Tuesday by enhancing the nighttime image to verify the existence of the three cougars. The sex of the kittens is unknown. Cougar kittens, or cubs, generally stay with their mother for about two years before venturing out on their own. “

The kittens’ chances of survival are actually pretty high because just like bears, cougars invest a lot of their energy into their young,” Roell said. “So these kittens will stay with their mom through this winter and possibly even into next winter. They already have a leg up, seeing as how they’ve been with her for a year now.”

You can read more from the DNR & read lots more about cougars on Michigan in Pictures! Here’s a couple photos of the cubs from the DNR along with a pic of an adult cougar.

Divco Delivery from the Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company

Posted on December 22, 2025 by farlane

Nostalgia Time by otisourcat

The Divco Club of America shares the fascinating history of the iconic Divco Delivery Truck:

In 1922, George Bacon, Chief Engineer for the Detroit Electric Vehicle Company, designed a remarkable new milk delivery truck. It could be driven from four positions, front, rear, or either running board. But battery power was no match for winter weather, heavy loads (such as milk) or long days on the city streets. His employer balked at making a gasoline powered truck, so Bacon and other investors formed the Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company (D.I.V.CO.) to produce his invention using a LeRoi gasoline engine. After testing a prototype in 1924, and 25 more prototypes with the Detroit Creamery in 1925, Bacon and his investors were ready to go into business.

Read on for a whole lot more about these classic vehicles!

Otisourcat shares that this photo shows a milk delivery on Nelson Street in Midland circa 1940. Head over to their Flickr for the latest.

Ice cleats are mandatory at Point Betsie Light

Posted on December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 by farlane

Point Betsie Sunset by Watermark Photography

Point Betsie Lighthouse on Lake Michigan just north of Frankfort is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Michigan, but it’s definitely an “ice cleats mandatory” location this time of year! If this view looks good to you, consider supporting the renovation of this iconic lighthouse on with a stay in the Keepers Quarters.

Jeff shares that Wednesday evening was his first time in a while seeing clear skies and sunset, and the ice sculptures made by the wind and breaking waves did not disappoint! There’s a couple more pics below. See (and purchase) this photo & others in the Winter Wonderland gallery on his website, and for sure follow Watermark Photography on Facebook for his latest.

Rain & possible “flash freeze” today in Michigan!

Posted on December 18, 2025 by farlane

Winter Water Drops by Superior Seasons

The folks at Michigan Storm Chasers share a detailed statewide Michigan weather forecast every morning that you should definitely incorporate into your daily feed. On Facebook they share that although we will see temps above freezing for most of the state, even topping 50 degrees in southern Michigan, temps will drop later in the day, potentially precipitously in what is known as a “flash freeze”. A flash freeze happens when rain has fallen, completely stopped, and then shortly afterward air temperatures drop from the 40s or 50s down into the 20s or colder. Ryan explains is all in their excellent video.

Michael shared this photo 13 years & one day ago on December 17, 2012, remarking that it was strange to see rain in December in the UP. Here are a couple more he shared to our Absolute Michigan group on Flickr, and you can see more in his The UP Eh! gallery.

Where’s Waldo, only easier

Posted on December 17, 2025December 17, 2025 by farlane

Yellow Bus by Bill Dolak

Bill shares so many great photos from Kalamazoo on Flickr and in our Michigan in Pictures group on Facebook. See more from above in his Droneography – Autel EVO Lite+ gallery on Flickr!

We All Watch the Movie Being Made

Posted on December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 by farlane

We All Watch the Movie Being Made by Steve Brown

“I’ve made movies that nobody saw initially, and then, all the sudden, people over the years pick up on it.” – Rob Reiner

On Sunday, director, actor, writer, producer & comedian Rob Reiner was murdered. Because we are thoroughly broken as a society, a tawdry political back & forth led by the actual President of the United States has threatened to overwhelm reflection on a truly legendary career that spanned decades. Let me say that if you haven’t dug into Reiner’s filmography from Spinal Tap to Stand By Me to Defending My Life, this is an excellent time to do so. All I want to say about Reiner is that few filmmakers have ever had such a deft touch in bringing to life the small moments that make us human.

Steve shared that the parts of the Disney movie “Flipped” (August 2010) were filmed in his hometown of Manchester, Michigan writing “Rather exciting for the residents of a small town, 2500 miles from Hollywood, when parts of a movie are filmed right on Main Street. Here a small crowd of local resident spectators has gathered on July 27, 2009. Kind of funny how the film crew had to herd us spectators around to keep us out of the way!”

Steve passed away a couple years ago, but his photos and his love of history remain, You can see the collection of photos featuring some classic cars in his Movie set for the movie “Flipped” gallery and see his previous Michigan in Pictures features right here.

Detroit 2026 Calendar by Chris Ahern Photography

Posted on December 15, 2025 by farlane

2026 Detroit Calendar by Chris Ahern Photography

The latest Michigan photo calendar we’re featuring is the 2026 Detroit Calendar from Chris Ahern Photography. The calendar features brand-new images of Hudson’s Tower, Michigan Central Station, Ambassador Bridge, Gordie Howe Bridge, Campus Martius, the Detroit Riverwalk, Belle Isle, the downtown skyline, and more with many never before released!

Click to order the calendar on Chris’s website & for sure follow him on Facebook or your social media of choice!

PS: Even though it seems impossible, this is a 100% real photo of Detroit’s Hart Plaza taken during the Movement techno festival.

Michigan rolling out Semiquincentennial license plates for 2026

Posted on December 12, 2025December 19, 2025 by farlane

Bicentennial License Plate Map – Michigan by design turnpike

I’m old enough to remember the Bicentennial craze of 1976 from Sam the Eagle to Michigan’s iconic bicentennial license plates. Get ready drivers, because Bridge Magazine shares that Michigan is bringing back the red, white and blue retro license plate next month in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary: Beginning Jan. 2, Michiganders will be able to order a new red, white and blue semiquincentennial plate that is modeled after the 1976 bicentennial design. The plate features updated patriotic elements, including stars and stripes, and will be available through the end of 2026.

The photos that David of Design Turnpike shared years ago of his original license plate artwork were so perfect for this post, so I was happy to see that he’s still in business! Follow Design Turnpike on Facebook and view & purchase his work on his website.